The bill amends various sections of the West Virginia Code to improve public defender services and child welfare, particularly concerning the compensation and reimbursement processes for panel attorneys involved in abuse and neglect cases. Key provisions include establishing a minimum compensation rate of $100 per hour for legal services and $20 per hour for paralegal services. It also prioritizes the reimbursement of expenses incurred in child abuse and neglect cases over other cases. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports from Public Defender Services summarizing the legal services provided by panel attorneys, ensuring client confidentiality is maintained.

Further amendments introduce new definitions and clarifications regarding legal representatives in juvenile proceedings, such as defining "assistant guardian ad litem" and emphasizing protections for children conceived from sexual assault. The bill outlines procedures for multidisciplinary treatment planning, mandates timely court proceedings, and establishes guidelines for permanency hearings. It also requires courts to consider specific circumstances affecting family unity and mandates documentation of the department's efforts to provide services to parents. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding child welfare, ensuring the rights and needs of both children and parents are adequately addressed while prioritizing their safety and well-being.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 29-21-13a, 49-1-201, 49-4-405, 49-4-601, 49-4-602, 49-4-604, 49-4-608, 49-4-610